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KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

2011-10-10T23:38:00.000+07:00

NATIONAL FLAG
The flag of Cambodia symbolizes the country’s religious dignity and royalty. Two large blue stripes representing royalty, embrace an even larger red stripe which represents the nation. The image of the white temple represents the nation’s religion. Generally speaking, the colors and image on the Cambodian flag personify the country’s slogan: Nation, Religion, King. (ref: Ministry of Tourism)

SOCIO-ECONIMICS AT A GLANCE

Official Name	Kingdom of Cambodia
Flag of Cambodia
Royal arms of Cambodia
Motto:	"Nation, religion, King"
Anthem:	Nokoreach
Surface area:	181 035 sq.km
Capital City:	Phnom Penh
Official Language:	Khmer
Demonym:	Khmer or Cambodian
King:	Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni
Prime Minister:	Samdech Dek Cho Hun Sen
Government:	Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary representative democracy
Legislature: - Upper House - Lower House	Parliament Senate National Assembly
Population: - Male - Female	13,395,682 (2008) 48.6% 51.4%
Density of population:	75 per sq.km
Population Growth Rate:	1.54%
Climatic condition:	Tropical and monsoon
National Currency:	Riel (R)
Time Zone:	GMT + 7 hours

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KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

2011-10-10T23:37:00.002+07:00

GEOGRAPHY
Cambodia has land area of 181 035 sq.km, in the south-west part of the Indochina peninsula, about 20% of which is used for agriculture. The country's maximum extent is about 580 km (est-west) and 450 km (north-south). It is bounded on the west by Thailand, on the north by Thailand and Laos, on the east by Vietnam and on the south by the Gulf of Thailand. In comparison wit its neighboring countries, Cambodia is administratively divided into 24 provinces and the capital of Phnom Penh. Provinces are further subdivided into 159 districts and 26 municipalities. The capital is divided into 8 khan. Districts are consist of 1417 Khum and 204Sangkat.

CLIMATE

Cambodia's climate is hot and warm almost all year round. The climate is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle of rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season is from November to April. December to January are the cool months while the hottest period is in April. The average temperature is 27 - 28^oC.

LANGUAGES
Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. English is very popular with people for communicating with foreigners in administrative, commercial, diplomatic, economic, industrial , and tourist affairs. The older people educated at their local comprehensive school can speak French clearly. Khmer-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

RELIGION
Cambodia is predominantly Biddhist. Like most other religions, there are many different types of Buddhism, and about 95% of Cambodians belong to the Theavada sect of Buddhists. Religion is an important tradition in Cambodia, and for a very long time, most Cambodian have not been willing to change. In more recent years, many Cambodians, especially the young people have begun to look for more, and many Christian missionatire have been able to enter the country. Christianity as well as many false religions have been growing rapidly in Cambodia.

CURRENCY
The Cambodian currency is Riel that can fluctuate a little if it is compared with a dollar. Riel denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100; and 50; Banknotes, which are printed in both Khmer and English, increase in size according to value and are in different colors.

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Religion

2011-10-10T17:04:00.000+07:00

Buddhism:The majority of people of Cambodia are followers of Theavada, or Hinayana, Buddhism.Buddhism was introduced to Cambodia between 13th and 14th centuries and was the state religion until 1975. The Theravada school is also called the "southern" school as it took the southern route from India. its place of origin, through South-East Asia - in this case Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos and Cambodia - while the "northern school proceeded north into Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam and Japan. Because the southern school tried to preserve or limit the Buddhist doctrines to only those canons codified in the early Buddhist era, the northern school gave Theravada Buddhism the name Hinayana, meaning the "Lesser Vehicle". The norther school considered itself Mahayana, the "Grant Vehicle", because it built upon the earlier teachings, "expanding" the doctrine to respond more to the needs of lay people, or so it claimed. Theravada doctrine stresses the three principal aspects of existence: Tukha (suffering, unsatisfactory, disease), Anicha (impermanence, transience of all things) and annatto (no substantiation or no essential of reality, no permanent "soul"). These concepts, when "discovered"by Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th century BC, were in direct contrast to the Hindu belief in eternal, blissful Self, or Paramatman, hence Buddhism was originally a "heresy"against India's Brahmanic religion. Gautama, an Indian price turned ascetic, subjected himself to many years of severe austerities to arrive at this vision of the world and was given the title Buddha, "the Enlightened" or "the Awakened". Gautama Buddha spoke of four noblr truths, which had the power to liberate any human being who could realize them. Between 1975 to 1979 the vast majority of Cambodia's buddhist monks were murdered by the Khmer Rouge and virtually all of the country's more than 3,000 Wats were damaged or destroyed. In the late 1980s Buddhism was again made the state religion. At that time, Cambodia had about 6,000 monks, who by law had to be at least 60 years old. The age requirements have been relaxed and young monks are once again a normal sight, Hinduism, Islam, Caodaism and Christianity are also practices in Cambodia.

OUDONG, The former Royal Capital of Cambodia

2011-06-06T10:13:00.000+07:00

About 40 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh along National Route 5, a mountain topped with the spires of stupas rears from the plain like a fairytale castle. This is Phnom Oudong, at one time an ancient capital, bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possessing an eerie beauty that no war has been able to steal from it.
As the capital, it was called Oudong Meanchey Oudong means noble or excellent, and Meanchey means victory.
From 1618 until 1866 it was home to a succession of kings, deposed from the former capital of Longvek by the invading Thais. The mountain itself runs from southeast to northeast, with a low saddle in the middle. Khmers say it has the shape of a Naga the magical multi-headed serpents that guard the Buddha. Along Route 5, signs point the way to silversmithing villages, a legacy of the past when kings and nobility used to come to the Tonle Sap to bathe and the people would offer them delicate gifts fashioned from the precious metal. Turn left at the large billboard, and at the very base of the mountain is a flurry of picnic huts. On weekends, hoards of people descend on the area from Phnom Penh to eat roast chicken, fish and palm fruit in the cool of the thick forest. At the base of the mountain near the path, a memorial containing bones of some of the hundreds of bodies exhumed from a large Khmer Rouge killing field here has been built testament to the area's bloody past. Stairs to the left lead to a huge, shattered statue of Buddha, the feet almost the only part still intact. On the path up the mountain to the right, the stairs climb steeply and a large structure rises on the left. Inside, huge pillars stand underneath sky, and in between their bullet-strafed skeletons, a statue of Buddha sits, only his right arm and shoulder still intact from the ravages of aerial bombings and shelling that shook Oudong from 1970 onwards.
The Khmer Rouge finished the job in 1977, setting explosives inside the temple.
This is Arthross Temple (Temple of Eight Points), and legend has it that the Buddha here, facing north instead of the traditional direction of east, is a testimony to the strength and power of the ancient Cambodian kingdom.In the 18th century, locals say, a Chinese king sent his people out across Asia to identify potential threats. When they came to Oudong, they saw the mountain shaped like a naga, a cavern on top of the Arthross end, and observed the wealth and power of Khmer society.
They went home and told their king that the Khmers were already a powerful race, and should a naga appear through the cavern of Arthross, they would be strong enough to rule the world.
The Chinese king did not want this, nor did he want a war. Instead, he asked the Khmer king if he could build a temple above the cavern, with Buddha's face towards China in order to protect his kingdom. This was named Arthaross temple (Arthaross means 18 corners) because there are 18 points, or corners, built into the structure of the temple. This temple also once stood 18 hats high a Khmer measurement the length of an arm from elbow to fingertips. One hat is about half a meter. Behind Arthross is Chker Amao stupa. Chker Amao was the dog of the head monk of Preah Sokhun Mean Bon. He was reportedly so remarkably clever that the monk could send him shopping with a list tied to his collar and the faithful dog would walk from market stall to market stall, collect the shopping, then bring it home. When he died he was reincarnated as the son of a Chinese king. The young prince began to get terrible headaches, and the court astrologer diagnosed the problem as the roots of the bamboo growing across the dog Amao's head in his Oudong grave.The king sent his people to Cambodia to cut the roots of the bamboo and build the temple that became Chkeri Amao Temple to consecrate the spot.As the ridge meanders northeast, three small viharas Vihear Preah Ko (Sacred Cow), Vihear Preah Keo (Sacred Precious Stone) and Vihear Prak Neak (The Buddha Protected by a Naga) have been restored and feature a statue of the sacred cow, glittering golden Buddhas and vibrant murals. The invading Thais took the original Preah Ko and Preah Keo when Longvek fell in 1594.These statues were said to have held golden books full of all the knowledge in the world in their bellies, and legend says that when they were lost to the Khmers marks when the Kingdom of Cambodia fell behind her neighbors. As the head of the naga comes into sight, three large stupas mark the resting place of kings.The first stupa, Chetdei Mouk Pruhm, is where the remains of King Monivong lie. He died in 1941. The middle stupa, with its four bayon faces looking out over Kandal in all directions, is Trai Traing, built by King Norodom for his father, King Ang Duong, in 1891.The last is called Damrei Sam Poan and was built in the 17th century for King Soriyopor. At the very point of the mountain, a huge stupa is just in the final stages of construction. This is probably where the Buddha relics that were once housed in the vihara outside the train station in Phnom Penh will be placed.
Across on the smaller ridge, Ta Sann Mosque is a testament to King Ang Duong's broadminded intellectualism. Grandfather Sann was born in Champa, the former Islamic empire that once shared Indochina with the Khmers, and was an Iman at Phnom Chumreay. He and the king became firm friends during long discussions about the dharma of both religions, and the king offered him a 50 square meter area on any mountain he chose to build a mosque, which he snappily accepted. But Oudong has not always witnessed such magnanimous tolerance. The alternative stairway that tumbles down the mountainside near the stupas of past kings passes murals depicting the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. No one here has forgotten that past, and the bullet-riddled temples are an everyday testament to what this fairytale city of the dead has suffered in the recent past.

TOP KHMER CAKES

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Num Anksom

Num Anksom, which is covered by banana leaves and boiled well before consomption, consist of two kind: Anksom Chrouk and Anksom Chek. Anksom Chrouk (pig cake) is mainly made out of pork, sticky rice, peeled mung bean and pepper, while Anksom Chek consist of ripe banana and other ingredients used in AnksomChrouk, excerpt the pork and pepper. Num Anksom is one of the most popular traditional cakes Cambodians make during traditional ceremonies or festivals, particularly on Phchum Ben (Festival of the dead) and Khmer New Year.

Num Korm

Similar to Num Anksom, Num Korm is used for traditional ceremonies or festivals, particularly during the Khmer New Year and Phchum Ben (Festival of the dead) It is pyramidal, and is either sweet or succulently salty.

Num Slek Sros (Fresh Leaf Num)

Cambodians name it because it is packaged in a piece of fresh green banana leaf. The slightly sweet cake comes from sticky flour with peeled mung bean inside serving as the core. It is eaten during traditional festivals, parties and other events, mostly as dessert.

Cambodian Waffle

It consist of sticky rice flour mixed with coconut oil, palm or white sugar, eggs and salt. It is not expensive, and many Cambodians think its tastes best when it is still hot.

Num Akor

It is round, made out of sticky rice flour mixed with coconut milk and palm sugar or white sugar with shredded coconut and toasted sesame on the top. It comes in two colors- white and red and it is also used as an offering on a Buddhist holy day.

Num Cak Kachan

It is sweet, and has numerous layers of various colors such as white and red, or green and white. Cambodians buy it for a Biddhist holy day to eat at home.

Moon Cake

Although traditionally used by the Chinese for the Moon Festival, the Moon cake is very popular in Cambodia, especially with Chinese-Cambodians. The Chinese eat the Moon cake when there is a full moon.

Num Krouch

It is called so because it looks like an orange, though orange is not part of the ingredients. Fried, Num Krouch consist of flour with peeled mung bean mixed with sugar serving as the core, toppled with toasted sesame. In general, it is popular with Cambodian kids.

Num Chek Bok (Crushed Banana Cake)

It is made out of sticky rice flour, coconut milk and ripe banana. It is eaten as a snack at home after meals.

Num Ple'ay

It is made out of flour and palm sugar. It is round, small with a sugar ball inside. In rural areas, it is eaten in a small banana leaf basket, which contains over five Num Ple'ay balls or more depending on how much you want to pay.

SYMBOL OF COLORS

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Yellow : It is the symbol of the luxury of the glory of success. It is also associated with infidelity and betrayal.

White : It is the symbol of the purity of the consolation, innocence, naivety and joy.

Orange : It is the symbol of the joy of the gaiety of the beauty of the size of the balance of the mind and senses.

Rose : It is the symbol of youth. Red: It is the symbol of the passion, courage, ambition, ardent and passionate love also the symbol of the anger and the voluntary temperament but.

Blue : This is the symbol of the air, the wisdom of love pure and Platonic, of the communion of souls, the elevation of the soul.

Purple : It is the symbol of peace, gentleness, generosity, humility.

Green : This is the emblem of the spring, the symbol of hope, joy, optimism.

CLIMATE AND SEASONS

2011-05-30T13:36:00.000+07:00

Cambodia is a tropical country. There are two distinct seasons, the dry and the monsoon. The monsoon lasts from May to October with southwesterly winds ushering in the clouds that bring seventy five to eighty percent of the annual rainfall often in spectacular intense bursts for an hour at a time with fantastic lightening displays. The dry season runs from November to April averaging temperatures from 27 to 40 degrees Celsius. The collest and most comfortable for those from cooler climates is from October to January.

Ten Most Popular Trees in Cambodia

2011-05-30T13:05:00.002+07:00

Palm Tree

Straight like a column, tall like a skyscraper, the palm tree represents the Khmer soul. According to history, palm trees were discovered at the same time Khmer people established their tribes in present day Cambodia during the Funan in 600 A.D.

Besides representing Cambodia's soul, the palm tree provided raw materials for many Khmer dishes as well as household products.

For instance palm juice, which is produced by squeezing the palm flowers, can be used to make either sweet or sour drinks, which are popular across the country. The juice can also be made further into sugar palm by stirring it in a heated pot until it becomes thick and much sweeter than the original juice. Producing palm sugar requires a long process and time but it's sold at a much higher price.

If not used for juice, the palm flower will develop into palm fruit that is uniquely fresh and sweet. Today, palm fruit is used by many Cambodians to make desert by adding ingredients such as coconut milk, a bit of sugar and lots of ice to accommodate the generally hot climate of Cambodia.

Another important use of the palm tree in Cambodia society is for the construction of the traditional Khmer home, such as the roof of cover and the walls. Leaves need to be dried under the sun first, before they can be tied together to form larger pieces of roughly 1m x 0.5m.

The trunk of the palm tree also has its use. The palm trunk is softer in the inside than the outside; quite the opposite from most other trees. For this reason, the palm trunk is perfect for making small boats.

Not a single component of the palm tree is unused . Palm trees were here when the first Khmer arrived ; hopefully, it will always be here as the Khmer population continues to grow rapidly, expanding into the countryside where most palm trees persist.

Banana Tree

The Banana tree is like a giant flower and unlike most trees. It has big leaves in proportion to its trunk and branches. All its branches grow outward from the tree top like a blooming flower. The Banana tree has so many uses. Its leaf can be used to wrap cakes, food etc. The trunk of the tree is used in preparation for various Buddhist ceremonies and when it's mashed into little pieces it becomes pig's food and even used for human soup. Its fruit can be eaten as desert as well as for traditional ceremonies and remedy.

Coconut Tree

The Coconut tree is similar to the palm tree but it's not as straight. It grows easily but only in tropical climates. The coconut tree has many uses. Its leaf can be used to make household products and its fruit can be used as a drink or to make deserts. Traditionally, coconut flower is used in wedding ceremonies.

Bamboo Tree

The Bamboo tree is known for its straight trunk which is useful for construction, usually scaffolding. The leaf of the bamboo tree is used to wrap Chinese cake, called Nom Zhang. When young, bamboo is called Tra Peang, which is another popular vegetable in Cambodia.

Rubber Tree

The Rubber tree can be found in various countries; however, it is a very special tree to Cambodians. Cambodian's soil is very fertile for rubber trees to grow and many people across the country make a decent living from growing rubber trees. After three to five years rubber trees start giving the milky like liquid that is eventually made into rubber. The tree itself is also very good for wood fire and housing.

Tek Doh or Tek Doh Ko (milk) Tree

Even though this tree doesn't have many uses but it's an indigenous tree to Cambodian.Its fruit-Phle Te Doh Ko (milk fruit) is sweet and milky and has large seeds. There are two kinds of Tek Doh Ko tree: male and female. They are similar, although the female tree produces large fruit. Unfortunately, today this tree is a rare sight in Cambodia.

Papaya Tree

The Papaya tree is a common site in Cambodia. Although its trunk doesn't have much use, its fruit can be used in many different ways. Ripe papaya is a delicious fruit, while the raw one is used for papaya salad or in Khmer, Bok Lhong. Papaya can also be put in soup or marinated and become Chruok L'hong.

Guava Tree (Trabek Tree)

The Guava tree has pale-earth like skin color and is very strong and durable. It's not a very large tree but Cambodian people love to grow this tree. Since ancient times Cambodians have used Guava tree's skin to cure diarrhea. It's very bitter and is boiled in water until its bitter taste comes out. The young guava leaf is also a very good diarrhea medicine. But beware, guava seed is very hard and shouldn't be consumed in large amounts. It can cause stomach ache or more serious stomach problems.

Jackfruit Tree

The Jackfruit tree is a big tree compared to other fruit trees. It has green palm-size leaves and large solid trunk that can be used to make various kinds of instruments. The skin of the trunk is also a type of ancient Khmer medicine. The Jackfruit is very popular fruit in Cambodia and unlike other trees the fruit grows out of the tree trunk!

Porsat Orange Tree

The most famous and favorite Porsat Orange comes from the north-western province of Battambang, Cambodia. Porsat Orange produces orange of unique taste. Most oranges are either sweet or sour; however, Porsat Orange is both sweet and sour.

KHMER HISTORY

2011-05-25T13:12:00.001+07:00

The race that produced the Builders of Angkor developed slowly through the fusion of the Mon-Khmer racial groups of Southern Indochina during the first six centuries of the Christian era. Under Indian influence, two principal centers of civilization developed. The older in the extreme south of the peninsula was called “Funan” (the name is a Chinese transliteration of the ancient Khmer form of the word “Phnom”, which means “hill”), a powerful maritime empire which ruled over all the shores of the Gulf of Siam. In the mid-sixth century, the Kambuja who lived in the middle Mekong (north of present day Cambodia), broke away from Funan. Within a short period, this new power known as Chenla, absorbed the Funanese Kingdom. In the late seventh century, Chenla broke into two parts: Land Chenla (to the north) and Water Chenla (to the south along the Gulf of Thailand) dominated by the Chinese. Land Chenla was fairly stable during the 8th century, whereas Water Chenla was beset by dynastic rivalries. During this period, Java invaded and took control part of the country.
At the beginning of the ninth century, the kings set up their respective capital in the present province of Siem Reap. For nearly six centuries, the kings enriched it by building temples one after another and each being more sumptuous than the other. Two hundred of these temples are spread all over in the Angkorian area some 400 square kilometers in the Siem Reap Province. The temples and their sanctuaries are best known for their architecture and sculptures.
The first founder of Angkor was King Jayayarman II (802-850), who built one of his residences on the plateau of the Kulen in 802. King Indravarman I (887-889), a nephew of King Jayavarman II, constructed a vast irrigation system at Lolei and then built the tower of Preah Ko in 879 and Bakong in 881. King Yasovarman (889-900), the son of King Indravarman I, dedicated the towers of Lolei to his memory in 893 and founded a new capital to the northwest which was to remain the very heart of Angkor. He built the Eastern Baray, a 7km X 2km size artificial lake also.
King Harshavarman I (900-923), the son of King Yasovarman, who took to the foot of Phnom Bakheng, consecrated the little temple of Baksei Chamkrong, and built Prasat Kravan in 921. King Jayavarman IV (928-941), uncle of King Harshavarman I, reigned in northeastern Cambodia near the present town of Koh Ker. He erected several majestic monuments. King Rajendravarman (944-968) returned to Angkor in 952 and built the Eastern Mebon and Prè Roup in 961. In 967, the Brahman Yajnavaraha, a high religious dignitary of royal blood, erected the temple of Banteay Srei, about 20 km northeast of the capital. King Jayavarman V (968-1001) founded a new capital around Takeo Temple.
In the eleventh century, King Suryavarman I (1002-1050) seized Angkor and founded a glorious dynasty. It was at this time that the Gopura of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom was completed with the sober pyramid of the Phimeanakas at its center. He also erected the temple of Phnom Chiso, some parts of Preah Vihear, and Preah Khan in Kampong Svay District.
King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), son of king Suryavarman I, built the mountain temple of Baphuon and Western Baray. King Udayadityavarman’s brother, King Harshavarman III, succeeded him and ruled from 1066 to 1080 when violent strife led to the fall of the dynasty. King Jayavarman VI (1080-1113) continued to build Preah Vihear Mount in Vat Po and Phimai.
King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) extended his power from the coast of the China Sea to the Indian Ocean and built the temples of Angkor Wat, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Preah Palilay, Preah Pithu and Banteay Samrè. After these dazzling achievements, the Khmer civilization began to decline due to internal strife and an attack by the Chams.
King Jayavarman VII (1181-1220) was the most fascinating personality in Khmer history. He re-established his rule over all of southern Indochina and is best known for his huge building program. He built Ta Prohm (1186) and Preah Khan (1191) to dedicate to his parents. Then he erected Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of the Elephants, Neak Pean, Ta Saom, Ta Nei, and a few monuments in other parts of the country. It was he who founded his great capital, Angkor Thom and in the center of which, he built the Bayon temple with its two hundred stone faces.
It is understandable that the country was exhausted after these enormous efforts. The decline of the Angkor era began after the death of King Jayavarman VII in the early thirteenth century. Due to Siamese invasion and the limitations of the irrigation system, Khmer power declined so drastically that the king was finally obliged to move to the vicinity of Phnom Penh in 1431. Then, resulting from a series of Siamese and Cham invasions, the country was placed as a French protectorate in 1863.
After regaining Independence in 1953, the country resumed several names:

The Kingdom of Cambodia (under the Reachia Niyum Regime from 1953 to 1970)
The Khmer Republic (under the Lon Nol Regime from 1970 to 1975)
Democratic Kampuchea (under the Pol Pot Genocidal Regime from 1975 to 1979)
The People’s Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1989)
The State of Cambodia (1989-1993)
The Kingdom of Cambodia (1993 until now (Ref:Ministry of Tourism)

LOTUS FLOWERS

2011-05-16T15:49:00.000+07:00

The lotus is rooted in deep mud and its stem grows through murky water. But the blossom rises above the muck and opens in the sun, beautiful and fragrant. In Buddhism, the lotus represents the true nature of beings.

In ponds and stretches of still water all over the country, lotus flowers bloom pink and white. They often grow naturally, but where there are no lotus, Khmers will plant them.
The pink ones (and not the white) will go eventually to seed, becoming the green pad that can be seen being hawked all over the country. The seeds are popped out one by one, peeled and the sweet flesh eaten.

- Lotus represents purity. It has a delicate perfume and a beautiful shape so people use the flower for religious and dedication purposes.
- Lotus represent everything we wish to express and become as good Buddhists.

- Lotus is the symbol of learning and cognitive thought.

In Buddhism, lotus flowers mean purity of speech, mind and body rising above the waters of desire and attachment. The lotus is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Different colors of lotus are symbolically used to represent aspects of perfection. There are four colors, which are pink, blue, red and white. Red represents the heart--its purity, original nature, compassion, passion, love and other qualities. White symbolizes spiritual perfection and complete mental purity. Pink represents the Buddha and is the supreme lotus. Blue means wisdom, knowledge and victory over the senses.

Some types of Lotus

Scientific Name	Common Name	Colour of Blossom
Nelumbium ‘Alba Grandiflora’	Asiatic Lotus	White
Nelumbium ‘Angel Wings’	Sacred Lotus	White
Nelumbium ‘Baby Doll’	Baby Doll	White
Nelumbium ‘Carolina Queen’	Carolina Queen	Pink
Nelumbium ‘Charles Thomas’	Charles Thomas	Lavender
Nelumbium Lutea	American Yellow	Yellow
Nelumbium Momo Botan	Momo Botan	Deep rosey pink
Nelumbium ‘Mrs Perry D Slocum’	Mrs.Perry D.Slocum	Changeable bicolour
Nelumbium Nucifera	Sacred or Hindu Lotus	Rose pink
Nelumbium Nucifera ‘Alba Plena’	Shiroman Lotus	Cream white
Nelumbium Nucifera ‘Pekinensis Rubra’	Pekinensis Rubra	Carmine Red
Nelumbium Nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’	Perry's Giant Sunburst	White, Yellow
Nelumbium Nucifera ‘Shirokunshi’	Tulip Lotus	White
Nelumbium Nucifera var. rosea	Rose Lotus	Rose pink with yellow center
Nelumbium Roseum Plena	Double Rose Lotus	Deep rosey pink, yellow wing

Large pink lotus and large white lotus are common in Cambodia

INGREDIENT USED IN KHMER COOKING

2011-04-29T12:04:00.000+07:00

Galangal (Romdeng)

Kaffir Lime (Krauch soeuch)

Rice Paddy Herb (Ma-om)

Lemongrass (Kuel Skey)

Tamarind (Ampil khui)

Turmeric (Lamiet)

Water Spinach (Traw Kuon)

Sleuk angkeadei

Sleuk m'rum

**Ginger (Chnay)**

Chee van souy

Prolit

NATIONAL FLAG

2011-04-26T11:56:00.000+07:00

The flag of Cambodia symbolizes the country’s religious dignity and royalty. Two large blue stripes representing royalty, embrace an even larger red stripe which represents the nation. The image of the white temple represents the nation’s religion. Generally speaking, the colors and image on the Cambodian flag personify the country’s slogan: Nation, Religion, King. (ref: Ministry of Tourism)

NATIONAL FLOWER

2011-04-26T11:52:00.001+07:00

Romduol, a small yellowish-white flower, is the national flower of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Since ancient times, Cambodian women have often been compared to the Romduol flower because of its attractive fragrance; a unique scent that is prominent in the late afternoon and can travel over long distances with the wind. With its sturdy stems that measure up to 30cm, the Romduol plant can grow to a height of 12 meters. These plants are being planted to enhance public parks. (ref: ministry of Tourism)

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CAMBODIAN FOOD

2011-04-26T10:16:00.002+07:00

Nhoim Troyong Cheit is a delicious and refreshing salad complimented by the tasty banana flower (troyong cheit) accompanied by tasty chopped bits of nuts, onion, lemon and carrot. This dish can be prepared with pork or chicken depending on one's preference. Whatever it is, the Nhoim Troyong Cheit is incredibly refreshing and quite a festival in itself.

Nhoim Makak, is a delicious combination of dry shrimp, fish, fish sauce, chilli pepper and garlic and the Makak fruit all in one. The festivity of flavors in this mixed salad will awaken your senses. The kiwi-sized Makak (Otaheite Apple) has a pineapple-mango like flavor and crunchy texture that makes this a better preference over using the Mango for this salad.

Broher tropeang is a refreshing soup. Light, and crisp, the hearty flavor is awarded to the unique flavoring from the green leaves and bamboo shoots. Step into the wilder side by adding prahok, fresh river fish and even smoked fish with mushrooms to spice up the fragrance. For a bit more, the connoisseurs of modern day Cambodia favour a tad bit of chili flakes to give it that extra kick.

SGNOU CHRUK BONG KANG:
This is the specialty and delicacy soup that will awaken your palates beyond belief. The fresh water lobster being one of the most flavorful creatures in Cambodia due to the richness of water in the country, really reflects on this dish as it is complimented by lemongrass, basil leaves, lime, chili and the delicious freshness of mint. Refreshing and Warming at the same time!

CAMBODIAN FOOD

2011-04-26T10:11:00.004+07:00

Cambodian Food

Prahok Kties is a delicious staple dish of Cambodian cuisine. Prahok, which means fermented fish, is GOLD to Cambodian cuisine, and can take up different shapes of flavor, depending on the recipe. Prahok Kties is fried with pork taken from the belly sides of the hog, which accentuates the flavor, particularly with the amazing quality of pork (sakchru) that Cambodia produces. It leaves you with an amazing taste in your palates.

Machu Kroung (soup), a healthy, fulfilling, flavorful sweet and sour soup that is incredibly wholesome. The fried peanuts accentuate the soup. The lemongrass (slak krai) and the saffron truly complement each other and to top it off, the decorative local grown chili flakes (matey) make this quite an appealing site to the eye. This is in fact more towards a curry than it is the soup that most foreigners thought it to be.

Korko, the hearty traditional gravy is truly quite delightful; its base ingredient is actually toasted rice pounded and turned into a tasty base and complimented by prahok, pork and pumpkin, which together add a delicious warmth and texture to the palate. Korko, is one of those great fusions of traditional ingredients cooked to perfection.

Morning glory (tra kuen), amongst one of the most treasured vegetables in Cambodia, with its richness in flavor and vitamins attributed to the rich soil which it is grown in. The delicious essence of the oyster sauce, truly compliments this delicious leafy and abundant vegetable.

Nom Ban Chok (Cambodian noodle), is one of the favorites for locals and tourists in Cambodia. The essence of curry combines beautifully with the noodles and the texture of the vegetables: morning glory, cucumber, sprouts, and string beans and to spice it up, add a little matey (chili). The look of it is quite appealing with the decorative prolot (lotus stem), which is a beauty of nature, attractive to the eye and fulfilling to the appetite.

Proheor: This delicious parade of flavors come together in this delicious soup, with yes, the most popular ingredient being the base, prahok. It is a soup that is a meal in itself, consisting of leafy vegetables, such as chili leaves and the exotic various herbs of the Cambodian Kingdom.

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Cooking Methods

MARINATED LEOMON GRASS BEEF

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Preparation: 15 minutes + 3 - 4 hours marinating
Total cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:
500g rump steak, cut into thin strips
3 steams lemon grass, white part only, finely chooped
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoon2 fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup (40g/11/4 oz) chopped roasted peanuts

How to cook
1. Place the steak in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Combine the lemon grass, onion, garlic, fish sauce, sugar and oil. Pour the marinade over the meat and toss to combine well. Cover and refrigerate for 3 - 4 hours.
2. Heat the wok until very hot and stir-fry the beef in two batches over high heat until it is just browned. Toss constantly to make sure the small pieces of onion and lemon grass don't catch on the surface of the wok and burn.
3. Return all the meat to the wok. Add the peanuts and toss quickly until combined . Delicious served with instant noodles.

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NUM BANH CHOK

2011-04-26T09:38:00.002+07:00

- Num Banh Chok Kampot: Rice Noodles Kampot Style

This simple dish, originated in Kampot province, but is appreciated nationwide. This is freestyle dining where all the ingredients are prepared and placed in the centre of the table in separate bowls and everyone helps themselves according to their taste.

Ingredients:
500g rice noodles
200g dried shrimps
4 cups coconut milk
2 cups ripe pineapple
2 cups bean sprouts
2 cups cucumber
2 cups chi

Sauce:

2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp vinegar
2 cloves garlic, slices thinly
2 shallots, sliced thinly

How to cook:
Put the dried shrimps in water and while they soak prepare the fruit and vegetables.
Cut the pineapple into small chunks, julienne the cucumber, top and tail the bean sprouts and remove the chi from the stems.
Place each ingredient into a separate bowl.
Then drain the shrimps and pound coarsely in a clay mortar, before placing in a bowl.
Next warm the coconut milk and again place in a bowl.
Make the sauce by mixing the water, sugar, vinegar and fish sauce with the thinly sliced garlic and shallots,
Then arrange the cold rice noodles in the center of table with the smaller bowl around.
The dish is eaten by first taking noodles and coconut milk, and then adding others ingredients according to your taste.
The sauce is spooned on top of the noodle dish last of all.

- Num Banh Chok Nam Ya: Rice Noodles with Red Curry

Ingredients:

rice noodles
300g catfish
1tbsp Prahok
1/2 cup coconut cream
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups water

Kroeung:

30g lemon grass stalk. sliced thinly
1 tbsp galangal, cut small
1 tbsp rhizome, cut small
1tbsp turmeric, cut small
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 shallots, crushedal and rhime
1 tbsp dried red chilli, soaked and chopped
1 tbsp salt
1tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce
6 kaffir lime leaves

How to cook

First make the Kroeung in a clay mortar. Pound the lemon grass stalk with the turmeric and when smooth add the galangal and rhizome.
Continue pounding then follow with the garlic and shallots. Finally add the dried red chilli and pound lightly. Let the Kroeung stand in the mortar.
In a pan boil the catfish in 2 cups of water. When cooked, remove the skin and bones, and crumble into flakes. Reserve the broth for later. Add the fish flakes to the mortar and pound with the Kroeung into a smooth and consistent texture.
Boil the coconut cream over a medium-low heat, and when it starts to bubble, stir in the Kroeung-fish mixture. Allow 5 minutes for the fish-Kroeung to blend with the coconut cream.
When well mixed, bring to the boil and season with salt, sugar and fish sauce.
Then take the fish broth and boil. Place the Prahok in a sieve and plunge into the boiling soup, then scrape with a spoon so the flesh flavors the soup. Discard the skin and bones.
Add the fish soup to the coconut curry and mix in the torn up kaffir lime leaves. Boil for 5 minutes then serve over rice noodles with lime slices, basil and bean sprouts on side.

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WARM CITRUS BEEF SALAD

2011-04-26T09:24:00.003+07:00

Warm Citrus Beef Salad

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Total cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Oil, for cooking

500g rump or sirloin steak, cut into thin strips

1 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon grated orange rind

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon orange juice

100g (31/2 oz) rocket leaves

40g (11/4 oz) snow pea sprouts

1 lemon, segmented

1 orange, segmented

How to cook

1. Heat the wok until very hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl it around to coat the side. Stir-fry the beef in batches until well browned, adding more oil when necessary. Remove from the wok and set aside.

2. Reheat the wok, add 1 tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the onion, garlic and ginger for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Return the meat to the wok along with combined citrus rind and juice.

3. Bring to the boil, then toss the rocket through the beef mixture and cook until the rocket is just wilted. Serve immediately on a bed of snow pea sprouts, surrounded by the lemon and orange segments.

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SAMLA KAKO

2011-04-26T09:18:00.006+07:00

Samla Kako means "stirring soup" and a lot of stirring is needed to make this soup.

Ingredients

250 g chicken
1 tbsp Prahok
400 veg-fruit combo including:
green papaya,
green banana,
green jack fruit,
young palm fruit,
sliced thinly,
pumpkin,
purple eggplant, cut into triangles
long beans,cut into 10 cm pieces and
pea eggplants.

5-6cups water

Kroeung

30b leaf of lemon grass, sliced finely
1 tbsp rhizome, cut small
1 tbsp turmeric, cut small
4 garlic cloves
shallots

1/2 cup rice, roasted and ground
tbsp salt
tbsp palm sugar (or white sugar)
tbsp fish sauce

1 cup angkeadei
1 cup m'rum
2 cups m'reach
3 stems Kantrup

How to cook

Prepare the kroeung, then chop chicken into bite-size pieces. Next remove leaves from angkeadei and m’rum stems and place in one bowl, and remove m’reah leaves but keep separately. Fry the kroeung and prohok in vegetable oil in a large pot over a medium-low heat. When the oil turns green from the kroeung, and the aroma intensifies add the chicken, salt, sugar and ¼ cup of water, stirring well. Allow chicken to cook for about 15 minutes, then add the vegetable combo, stirring constantly. Then add the roasted rice powder, still stirring and then the rest the water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring soup to the boil, once it bubbles add the fish sauce, and angkeadei and m’rum leaves and remove from heat immediately. Brush the kantrup over the flame about 4 times so the leaves burn slightly, then remove by running a thumb and index finger up the stem. Add to soup just before serving.

Note: Samlo kako is a lunchtime dish, usually served with steamed rice and with fresh m’reah leaves on the side.

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MAP OF CAMBODIAN ISLANDS

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THE MAIN CAMBODIAN ISLANDS

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The Main Cambodian Islands

The following is the list of Island of the Kingdom of Cambodia
- Koh Pos
- Koh Kaung Kang
- Koh Rung Sanloeung
- Koh Kong
- Koh Khteah
- Koh Chraloh
- Koh Ta kiev
- Koh Tang
- Koh Pring
- Koh Poulo Wei
- Koh Dek Kol
- Koh Rong
- Koh Proeuv
- Koh Seusei
- Koh Sramaoch
- Koh Trach

Beach Holiday on the Cambodia Islands

DISTANCE: PHNOM PENH - PROVINCES

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Provinces	Code	Dist.PP
Ratanakiri	075	636 km
Preah Vihear		543 km
Mondulkiri	073	543 km
Stung Treng	074	481 km
Kratie	072	340 km
Pailin	053	378 km
Banteay Meanchey	054	351 km
Siem Reap	063	314 km
Battambang	053	291 km
Koh Kong	035	280 km
Oudor Meanchey	0065	231 km
Sihanouk ville	034	226 km
Pursat	052	186 km
Kampong Thom	062	168 km
Kampot	033	148 km
Kep Municipality	036	148 km
Kampong Cham	042	124 km
Svay Rieng	044	124 km
Prey Veng	043	91 km
Kampong Chhnang	026	91 km
Takeo	032	78 km
Kampong Speu	025	48 km
Kandal	024	13 km

The Main Cambodian Islands

Beach Holiday on the Cambodia Islands

GEOGRAPHY

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Cambodia has land area of 181 035 sq.km, in the south-west part of the Indochina peninsula, about 20% of which is used for agriculture. The country's maximum extent is about 580 km (est-west) and 450 km (north-south). It is bounded on the west by Thailand, on the north by Thailand and Laos, on the east by Vietnam and on the south by the Gulf of Thailand. In comparison wit its neighboring countries, Cambodia is administratively divided into 24 provinces and the capital of Phnom Penh. Provinces are further subdivided into 159 districts and 26 municipalities. The capital is divided into 8 khan. Districts are consist of 1417 Khum and 204Sangkat.

Socio-Economics At a Glance

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SOCIO-ECONOMICS AT A GLANCE

Official Name	Kingdom of Cambodia
Flag of Cambodia
Royal arms of Cambodia
Motto:	"Nation, religion, King"
Anthem:	Nokoreach
Surface area:	181 035 sq.km
Capital City:	Phnom Penh
Official Language:	Khmer
Demonym:	Khmer or Cambodian
King:	Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni
Prime Minister:	Samdech Dek Cho Hun Sen
Government:	Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary representative democracy
Legislature: - Upper House - Lower House	Parliament Senate National Assembly
Population: - Male - Female	13,395,682 (2008) 48.6% 51.4%
Density of population:	75 per sq.km
Population Growth Rate:	1.54%
Climatic condition:	Tropical and monsoon
National Currency:	Riel (R)

Map of Cambodia

2011-04-25T16:30:00.000+07:00